Deck over brick patio

[deanclarke12]

Reaching out to network. I have a brick patio 7000L x 4500mm W
Looking to install a deck over the top. Has anyone rendered a brick patio? Or would my option be better to pull out everything and install deck with footings concreted. Probably the most costly exercise. Can I get away with just rendering the bricks and laying a raised Steel subframe then install deck.  

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Workshop community @deanclarke12. Many thanks for your question, I'd be happy to assist.

Would a compromise between the two be removing enough bricks to dig and install a footer in specific locations? I'm not sure there is a need to remove all of them to do so. Do you have any specific concerns with installing the deck directly onto the brick? Has there already been a subsidence of them? You could use pavers to spread the weight over several bricks, in each location, if you are concerned about individual bricks bearing weight.

Mitchell

[deanclarke12]

Hi Mitchell that’s actually a good idea. I will look into that. I’m not concerned about weight. Ideally I’d like to just render over the brick with concrete and then have a steel sub frame with small spacers to keep the frame off the ground. 
looking for the most cost effective way to install.  I welcome any more suggestions or experience.

[MitchellMc]

@deanclarke12,

Is there any particular reason why you need to render over the brick? Is it because you'll see it on the sides of the deck?

Mitchell

[deanclarke12]

For water in the future that would wash away sand foundation.